Ephesus 1

While in Ephesus you are going to be spending a fair amount of time paying close attention to the detail to be found in the architecture there. Our aim when we come back is to create a facade of either the Library or of the Temple of Hadrian in clay. Each of you will be responsible for a tile (section) of the facade that when it is put together is a recreation of the building in question.

Because we are going to be in Ephesus together discovering all that there is to see I am not going to write lots here about it, but I am going to let you know what I will be expecting to see in your Development Sketchbooks when you get back.

Grade 8 Ephesus Sketches

1. An Ionic Column
2. A Doric Column
3. A Corinthian Column
4. A Statue from Curetes Street

When looking at the various columns, think about how you will depict the using only line drawing. I will have a reference sheet for you to use when identifying your columns.


Grade 8 Ephesus Photographs (we will do these in groups)
These photographs are going to be used as a reference for our sculptural work back in the classroom. The detailed sections of the facades will be put together in a photo montage so that we have a complete and detailed reference to work from.

1. A detailed composite photograph of Ephesus Library
2. A detailed composite photograph of the Temple of Hadrain

I recommend that you check out the sites that I have provided in the links column under the heading Ephesus - there is lots of relevant information there.

Kapadokya 1

Hey there, we talked about a lot of different things relating to Cappadocia for you to think about while you are on your trip there. This blog is to remind you of our conversation and also to remind you what to look for and record while you are there. As you know, when you come back you are going to be designing birdhouses that are inspired by the landscape and architecture that you encounter in Capadoccia, as well as by the stories that you hear there.

One of the first things that I want you to pay attention to is the interior architecture of the churches and dwellings that you will see. You should make some sketches of details that you find important to the structure. Remember to think about shape. Also, pigeons played a large roll in the monks life in Cappadocia, they provided food, fertilizer and possibly acted as messengers. You will see pigeon houses all over the place, take note of these too and how they are built.


We also looked at and talked about the interiors of the churches that are painted. You are supposed to make a detailed sketch that shows part of an interior. It does not have to be the whole church, but a section of it that is interesting to you. The questions you want to answer are: Where did the monks get the pigment for their paints? And how did they make the paint?


I have asked you to find three symbols to record in your sketchbooks. When you come back we are going too share these symbols in the class and try to interpret what they stand for. Look for symbols that are carved as well as painted and try to look for one that nobody else is noticing. And don't forget about the chicken. In one of the churches there are paintings of chickens. No, they are not large pigeons! I want you to draw the chicken and to try and find out what it symbolizes. Your clue: It has something to do with Egypt.


Have a great time, I look forward to seeing all the information that you will bring back to the classroom.

Grade 7 Kapadokya Check List

1. Architectural sketches of interiors (x2)
2. Note the colours of the frescoes and find out about pigment
3. Sketch a detail of one of the frescoes
   
4. Find and record (x3) symbols
5. Find the chicken, draw it and find out its story
6. Have fun
   

Calder Mobile

Hey, while I am gone to Ephesus for the week you are going to be exploring the world of kinetic energy and making your own Calder-like mobile. Alexander Calder (1898 - 1976) was an American sculptor and artist who is credited with inventing the mobile. He discovered a way to create a sculpture that was in constant movement and therefore always changing, making it a dynamic and exciting art form.

Your job this week is to complete your own mobile. A mobile is a type of sculpture that is made up of carefully balanced parts that move. They move, are kinetic, because they respond to the energy in air currents. When your mobiles are completed you will be able to watch them shift from one form to another.

Materials Needed:

1. Cardboard
2. Template
   
3. Stapler
4. Oil Pastel Crayon
   
5. Ball Point Pen
   
6. Scissors
   
7. Acrylic Paint
8. Needle
9. Thread
   

Grade 6 Studio Work

1. Trace your template on the backside of the paper using an oil pastel, you can use the window for this;
   
2. Carefully staple your template to your cardboard;
3. Trace your template using a ballpoint pen
   
4. Cut out the six pieces of your mobile;
5. Keep all of your pieces together using the blue construction paper that the teacher has given you;
   
6. Paint the pieces with acrylic paint. You can use any colours that you like. Be sure to paint one side at a time and allow the side to dry completely before you turn it over to paint the other side;
7. Find the centre of balance for each piece by balancing it on your finger. Lay it flat on your finger until is does not fall off, it will balance perfectly like a see-saw. Mark that point with a pencil;
8. Make two holes in each of your mobile mobile pieces using a needle. One hole just below the top edge of the piece at the balance point and and one hole at the "tail" end of the piece (see the demo board behind my desk);
9. Using thread string all the pieces together;
   
10. Check to see that your mobile is balanced and make any adjustments needed;
    
11. Hang it up in the classroom above our work table.
    

If You Finish Early
Work on your Sock Monkey Portrait

BUPS/BIS Annual Art Show

It is that time of year. The art show is next Wednesday, March 26th at 18:30 (06:30 pm). Come and join us for an evening to celebrate your work as artists.

Grade 6
Your Sock Monkeys are the last thing that you need to finish up before Wednesday. Please make sure that I have your monkey by Monday, March 24th.
Grade 7
Poetry Books need to be in my hands also on Monday, March 24th.
Grade 8
Your Miniatures are due on Monday, March 24th.

Poetry Book Making 2

Now that you are at the point where your books are being sewn (bound) you need to start really thinking about what your covers are going to look like. I recommended in class that you have a look at some of the links that I have provided for you to get some ideas.

Some things for you to think about in regards to your Poetry Book covers:

1. You can use a beautiful paper that you have made or bought;
2. You can make a collage for your cover;
3. You can illustrate/paint/stitch/embroider/print etc. on your cover;
4. Your cover needs to be pliable (able to bend easily without damage) and durable because it will get handled quite a lot.
   

These are just a few things to think about. Starting on Wednesday, March 19th you should have gathered everything that you might need for your cover. The cover should be ready (that means completed if you are printing, painting, sewing etc.) by then because you will be attaching it to your book and therefore completing the binding of your Poetry Book.

Meanwhile here are some links to inspire ideas:
Paperbirds
Galleria Mia
Owen's Books